Catching a 'Booster Rocket'

Mr. Jack began class talking about SpaceX. He asks the kids if they knew what it was.  We had seen the SpaceX building and launch pads when we went to Kennedy Space Center in November.  I had even talked to the kids about the Falcon Heavy launch, but they are not like I am - a space geek!  They vaguely recalled some of the things we talked about.  So they could answer a few questions Mr. Jack asked them.  This goes to show you that we all retain information important to us, the individual.  I expose them to many things and they compartmentalize bits and pieces, but they only internalize what holds importance to them.

Anyway, Mr. Jack explained why the Falcon Heavy launch was such a big step for rocketry.  The recovery and reuse of the booster rockets would save millions of dollars for space flight.  He showed them the return on the first two booster rockets and the kids were impressed.  Then he explained the third booster rocket recovery.  It was not a success.  He showed the kids a picture of the drone ship that was to recover the rocket.

This led to the discussion of trajectory and design of a 'rocket catching' drone ship.  He tasked the kids with making a device to catch in coming ping-pong balls.  Of course, he had one he made to show them one possibility.  He explained the parameters they would have to work with and had them work in groups of three to complete the mission.

They busily gathered foil, straws, tape, cups, tissue paper, string, pencils, and paper to build their 'drone ships'.  Each group came up with a different design.

Finally, they all were ready to see which design would work the best.  LM's group's ship caught the most ping-pong balls.

After all the 'drone ships' were tested, they regrouped and talked about the designs and what worked and didn't work.  Mr. Jack always gives them positive feed back and suggestions for how they can improve their designs for the next engineering feet.

Now, maybe they will remember more about SpaceX!